Camp Hill tragedy: Senior detective stood down from investigation amid ‘victim-blaming’ outrage
Police chief acts to ‘ensure public confidence’, apologising for detectives’ comments about Hannah Clarke, yet her family say they are “in no way offended.”
The family of murdered mum Hannah Clarke say they are ``in no way offended’’ by comments from a senior detective that led to a backlash on social media and in some media outlets.
In a personal meeting with Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll at their Camp Hill home, Ms Clarke’s parents asked her to contact the officer on their behalf.
“The Clarkes are an amazing family, they’re strong, they’re devastated,’’ an emotional Ms Carroll said outside the home.
“I explained to them what occurred and they are completely understanding and actually asked me to contact the officer and say they are in no way offended, and to sincerely thank us for our support.’’
Ms Carroll defended her handling of the issue. Asked if she had overreacted in standing down the officer, Detective Inspector Mark Thompson, who was leading the investigation, she said there had been ``a lot of noise around this’’.
“There was too much distraction and too much noise. Mark and I spoke about it and it was best for us to get on with our investigation and do the right thing by this family and the right thing by her children.’’
“To ensure public confidence I have asked Detective Inspector Thompson to step aside from the investigation.”
Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union acting president Mark Reid said the detective was ``extremely distraught over the way his comments, made during a lengthy media conference, have been construed’’.
“Detective Inspector Mark Thompson is a dedicated veteran of policing with over 20 years’ service to Queensland and is committed to ensuring a thorough and effective investigation for the victims of this crime,’’ Mr Reid said.
Commissioner Katarina Carroll issued a public apology on behalf of the Queensland Police Service for comments made by Thompson, who was accused of “victim blaming” after claiming investigators needed “to keep a completely open mind” as to whether Rowan Baxter was “driven too far by issues”.
“We need to look at every piece of information and, to put it bluntly, there are probably people out there in the community that are deciding which side, so to speak, to take in this investigation,” Insp Thompson said during a 13-minute press conference.
“Is this an issue of a woman suffering significant domestic violence, and her and her children perishing at the hands of the husband?
“Or is it an instance of a husband being driven too far by issues that he’s suffered by certain circumstances into committing acts of this form?”
Commissioner Carroll said a thorough investigation into the deaths is being conducted on behalf of the coroner and confirmed the deaths of Ms Clarke and her children were being treated as murder.
“Queensland Police Service apologises for comments made during a media conference yesterday about the deaths of five people in Camp Hill,” she said.
“However, at this stage the investigation is being treated as the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey. The death of Rowan Baxter is not being treated as suspicious.
“This is a shocking tragedy which has affected the whole community.”
In an interview earlier on Friday, Commissioner Carroll said Insp Thompson’s phrasing was wrong.
“I apologise for what was said and how it was said – the phraseology was completely wrong and the words … should not have been used,” she told ABC Radio Brisbane.
“He went on to try and explain that it is abhorrent and unacceptable. He (Insp Thompson) should have said this matter needs to be investigated to go before the coroner.
“I’ve spoken to Inspector Thompson this morning, he is distraught and gutted about the way he said it and what was said, and he’s very upset. He cannot believe the way he has phrased that.
“All he wanted to say was he needed to get evidence before a coroner.”
Betty Taylor from the Red Rose Foundation described Insp Thompson’s comments as “victim-blaming at its worst”.
“Nothing the victim does should end her life tragically. Women have a right to walk away from a relationship of any description,” she said.
In a separate interview, Commissioner Carroll told The Courier Mail that “good men” draw a line in the sand on domestic violence, and should reach out to friends or colleagues who may be struggling following a relationship breakdown.
“You can’t and should not be a bystander,” she said.
The Police Commissioner said she was in tears when informed of the “incomprehensible” crime which took place in Brisbane’s Camp Hill on Wednesday.
“This needs to be used as an example of things that can happen if we don’t start to have respectful relationships and get assistance for mental health,” she said.
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